First barbecue of the season, off to Santa Pola to see Suzy, Elliot and Juliet experiencing snow (and a mice invasion) for the first time in Montrondo, home again, the clocks go forward and other tales of the week.

 Madrid, Easter Day, Sunday, 31st March, 2024

By the sea this week

Good morning friends and Happy Easter. Here we are home again after a few days in Santa Pola visiting our daughter Suzy.

Last Sunday the weather was marvelous so we made the most of it and inaugurated the barbecue season. As nearly always happens in Spain, the Easter holidays don't often get warm weather which was the case once again this year. Even so millions leave their homes for a holiday by the coast, in the mountains or, if they are lucky, in their "pueblo", or abroad. 

However, on Sunday last it reached 26ºc whereas in Montrondo this week it was often below zero, bringing snow,  and in Santa Pola it never hovered above 20c. My husband always makes the barbecue and here he is grilling various types of chorizos and gourmet hamburgers.

The first barbecue of the season

To partake of the meal Olivia had invited the girls' oldest friend, Copi, and her mother Celeste. The only person missing was Suzy which made me sad. But we would see her the next day.

Oli came bearing all sorts of desserts including home made "torrijas" - a sort of cold French toast which is very popular here at Easter. I am much more into Easter eggs - chocolate, you see. 

We made a French exit around 5 and were able to rest in our quarters. I carried on binge watching Call the Midwife on the BBC iPlayer (thanks to my Express VPN). I love that it is set in the UK in the 60's, so reminiscent of my childhood. Many of the characters are nuns or nurses which always appeal to me on screen for some reason, along with prisons, schools and institutions of most sorts. I wonder what a psychologist would  make of that?  As a little girl I said I wanted to be a nurse but of course that could never have happened as I am far too squeamish. Another reason I love CTM is because of the language in the script. It's wonderful to hear expressions like "tickety boo" or "all shipshape and Bristol fashion". I relate to words and expressions like this as I left England in the early 80's and my vocab is pretty old fashioned. Not for me words and expressions like "awesome", "the both of us" not to mention "cancel culture" and "woke" which make my blood boil. Cool too was before my time. I used to say "groovy". Do you remember?

Monday came and come what may we were driving to Santa Pola to see Suzy who had stalled 2 previous attempts to visit her recently. The bad weather hit us as soon as we left Madrid and it rained insistently until our arrival in Gran Alacant. We bought the flat in 1999 and I swear I have only ever experienced rain there about 3 or 4 times which made it  quite unusual to arrive to rain. 

Thankfully, Suzy was delighted to see us and we were happy to see her. She had been fasting for 3 days and looked very undernourished. She fainted after dinner which gave me the shock of my life. I was about to call the emergency services when she came round. Eladio had to drag her on the floor to her room and between us we got her on the bed. I was worried all night but happy to hear she had slept quite well and woke up feeling better on Tuesday. Just before she fell and fainted we had been telling her about Eladio's fall when he got concussion. Was it just a coincidence then that Suzy fell and fainted too just after telling her? She is very highly sensitive. Could this have been psychosomatic or because of her fasting.? é We shall never know. But what an enormous shock she gave us. When she lolled her head and her eyes rolled, I honestly thought she may be dying; a mother's worst fear. Thankfully she was better very soon. Oh dear Suzy, I love you and worry so much about you.  

Meanwhile, more than 800km away, Oli and family arrived that afternoon in  Montrondo and had the misfortune to find an invasion of mice and all their droppings. It has happened to us before and I know the feeling. No doubt Elliot would have found the whole thing exciting but Olivia hates mice. Me too and I felt for her.  Mice get in if you leave the door open during the day. We usually leave traps, just in case, but Oli and family were the last to visit and they didn't. They caught 4 mice and this time have left the traps. Oli is scared stiff of mice and it was most unpleasant. 

What was wonderful though for them was arriving to a warm house and to find some of their little cousins there; Luna, Camilo and later Jara, Gael and little Sara. They played together every day of their stay. Here they are wrapped up well just after they arrived.

Juliet and Elliot in Montrondo on Monday, the day they arrived and the day before the snow came. 

I woke up on Tuesday at 6.30 after a reasonable night's sleep. But then I went and hurt my back. I felt a crick and realised I had a muscle contraction right down the left side of my back. I was in agony. I desperately tried to find an ostoeopath and I did. Andrea from La Clau in Santa Pola received me at 10 am and worked her magic. She gave me the best massage I have ever had and nearly removed the contraction completely. Oh bless her. I came out feeling so much better and made my way to the main square where Eladio was waiting for me. In turn we were waiting for Suzy who I had treated to a pedicure and manicure at Angeles, a nail bar and beauty salon on the main street. She came out feeling on top of the world and I had to have a photo of her with her father which I entitled Father and daughter on social media.

Father and daughter in Santa Pola on Tuesday

As you can see in the photo, they are both wearing their coats. It was cold for this area on Tuesday but would get warmer on Wednesday. We then went food shopping to replenish Suzy's very empty shelves and fridge. I also went into Quicksave, the English supermarket across the way from our flat. I stocked up on Cadbury's creme eggs, the last Easter egg they had, some polos, hot cross buns - important for Good Friday and then crumpets, scones and muffins. These were to take home and freeze. But we would enjoy the hot cross buns on Friday of course, as tradition dictates or did so in my home as a child. 

While I was nursing my back pain in bed that afternoon with Charles Spencer's new book - A very private school - it had just begun to snow in Montrondo. It was a pretty light fall but enough for the children to enjoy and out they went to experience snow for the first time. How exciting. I do wish I had been there to witness the moment myself. Oli took a video which you can see here and sent us some pictures to remember the moment.

The kids with their cousins just as it began to snow on Tuesday

Oli later sent us a lovely photo of the back of our house in the snow at night, courtesy of my nephew Miguel who is now living permanently with his wife, Claudia, and their children in Montrondo. They are quite brave to have set up their home there. I loved the picture so much, I had to share it with you.

Our house in the snow this week - picture postcard like

There was a bigger snowfall on Wednesday and they were even able to make a snowman. Elliot later corrected me and told me they made 3!

More snow in Montrondo on Wednesday

These photos brought back memories of winter and early spring holidays with the girls in the village when they were small. I shall never forget Eladio, his father and brothers making a big igloo and my father-in-law sitting inside it. The girls, like Elliot and Juliet today, loved their holidays in Montrondo with all their cousins. It's like history repeating itself, but nice history. 

Meanwhile in Santa Pola, it was nearly 20 degrees more and out we went to enjoy the sun and the sea. We drove to the end of the coastal road and parked at the end. From there we walked along the promenade - our favourite walk in the area, after the lighthouse walk. Eladio took a picture of me which I have chosen as this week's feature photo as it was one of the highlights of this week. We then sat down in the sun at Ca Pacorro for a coffee and I got another photo. Pippa is with me in both photos, just as she is nearly always with us. Pippa adds so much to our life, bless her.

Enjoying coffee in the sun at Ca Pacorro on Wednesday

Once home and with plenty of time on my hands, I ambled down to the pool which is open all year round and faces the garden and the sea. I had it all to myself which was very pleasant.

The communal pool which I had all to myself on Wednesday

I continued reading Charles Spencer's book, "A very private school" the terrible story of his childhood which focuses on the cruelty and abuse he suffered at the Maidwell prep school where he was sent away at the age of 8. Lady Diana's brother is nearly 10 years younger than me, well 8. To think this cruelty was meted out in the 70's in England. I went to school in the 70's but it was a wonderful grammar school run by Irish nuns who were never cruel. 

A very sobering tale of cruelty and abuse at a top British boarding school

What is it about British upper class boarding schools that made generations of children unhappy and be cruelly treated? Why on earth did their parents send them away out of the bosom of their families at such a tender age? Why on earth where the adults running these institutions cruel and despotic many times? The ones described in the Earl's book were pedophiles, predators and sadists. There is no other description for them.  This type of so-called teachers or headmasters and matrons were prevalent at many boarding schools for years until society began to understand child care and nurturing. I think Charles Spencer was very brave to write this totally unabridged story of what a psychologist later told him was a "fucked up childhood".  Now  a bestseller, it makes for harrowing reading. I can only hope that in writing it the author somehow got therapy for what should never have happened to a small child in  England in the 70's or ever.

Maunday Thursday came and we were back at the osteopath Andrea from La Clau. This time it was to give Eladio a massage. There I was complaining about my back, while all the time he was suffering from sciatica which he got when he mowed the lawn the week before. While he was there I went for an amble with Pippa and explored the shops on the main street. I bought a light pink cotton jumper - not stripes this time, although I was tempted.

Suzy, meanwhile, was at the hairdresser for a much needed cut She looks lovely now with shorter hair and a fringe. 

Part of the afternoon was spent watching a new series on Netflix, the Testament of Moses. Both Eladio and I are suckers for sweeping drama films based on stories from the Bible or Roman Times (Quo Vadis, Benhur, etc).  We only watched the first of the three episodes and it' not bad but actually not a patch on the 1956 film, The Ten Commandments with Yul Brynner. Remember? Around Easter we always love watching these types of films. 

On Good Friday it was finally the day to have hot cross buns for breakfast. I had been dreaming about them for weeks, finally got some at Quicksave and this was the day. I have been having either porridge, Weetabix or muesli every day for breakfast as part of my semi diet now for months but what I really like for breakfast is toast or croissants. With my hot cross bun I also indulged in a crumpet, that most English of bakery products and which has a taste like none other. Liberally spread with Lurpak my breakfast was divine.

Suzy joined us on our walk that day which made it extra special. Once again we drove to the end of the old coastal road to park at the end and walk on the promenade towards our bar, Ca Pacorro. I couldn't believe just how crowded it was but of course it's Easter and figures. People will be heading home again today, back to the grindstone for many. That's why it's wonderful to be in early retirement. We managed to find a free table in the sun and ordered a coffee for me, beer for Suzy and a diet coke for Eladio. I managed a quick photo of Suzy with her new hairdo. Doesn't she look lovely? If only all was well.

Suzy on Friday morning joining us on our walk and coffee time by the sea
She has a lovely new hair cut which really suits her.

When I posted the photo on social media, two people wrote to say she looks just like me. My dear friend Adele even thought it was me - for a moment. I like that. 

These days she is heavily into reading the Bible so our talk was centred on that, the times of Jesus, the Romans and we even got as far back as Alexander the Great. We fear she is taking the Bible rather literally and her dear father who studied theology gave her much food for thought in his explanations. What a good teacher he is and how knowledgeable. If only she would take in some of his words of wisdom or be less radical in her beliefs. But, overall, we had a lovely time together. I am far less knowledgeable than my husband but I did do Religion A level and ´Theology "subsid" at University, which I think surprised my daughter who probably thought I didn't have a clue. I do and I did. 

We had a quiet afternoon and a simple dinner together - our last till next time. Then it was early to bed except I was woken by an upcoming guest who is in a different time zone. She was sending me messages for about an hour till late at night. 

But I got about 6.5h sleep - my average I think, and was up a little later on Saturday, the day of our departure. 

Departing too were Oli and family from Montrondo where the kids had had a grand time. Just as they were leaving, their favourite cousin arrived and whom they absolutely adore. Oli sent me this delightful photo of the three of them before they left.

Juliet and Elliot yesterday in Montrondo with their favourite cousin just before leaving

When they saw her they did not want to leave. I remember Suzy nearly always crying when we departed from  Montrondo. 

We left our apartment and Suzy in it at about 10.30. It had been good to spend time with her and I was happy that her shelves and fridge are now full. We shall see her next at the beginning of May to celebrate her 40th birthday, just before our next road trip.

We stopped for coffee and lunch and the nearer we got to Madrid, the colder it got. It rained too but that's good for the reservoirs; I know. We stopped for lunch at La Venta de San José in Zafra de Záncara about 1.5h from home. It is probably the best place to have a meal on the A3 road but I have never seen it so full. There was hardly a table to be had and of course no room in the dining area without a booking. We managed to get a small table and two stools by the bar. Here is Eladio about to tuck into his chickpea stew. 

Lunch at Venta de San José yesterday on our way home

We were home by 4pm to just 7ºc, 10 less than in Santa Pola. No wonder so many people retire to the Costa Blanca. Maybe we should?  Who knows?

Tana was waiting for us, eager to get off to Madrid for her short weekend off. All our guests were out and the house was warm, clean and tidy. How civilised. We retired to our quarters and after unpacking, just fell into bed. Later we had a video call with Oli and the kids and soon is was time for dinner, on our own in the kitchen. We had wine and chocolate with our dinner as a sort of pre Easter meal. We opened the wonderful new Terry's mint flavoured "chocolate orange". I hadn't had chocolate since Christmas and there is no better combination than chocolate with wine even if it gives me a headache.

Last night the clocks went forward. I had to remind Suzy and also tell Mohammad this morning who didn't have a clue. At 2 am it went forward to 3 am and thus we have lost an hour today. However we have gained an hour of light. Sunset today will be around 9pm which I love. When it gets warmer which should be quite soon, I look forward to dinners on the kitchen patio. 

We shall be alone for Easter Day. Oli is working and Miguel will take the kids to his mother's place. But we shall celebrate as I got out a leg and a shoulder of suckling lamb last night.  Then there are Easter eggs to look forward to. 

Having come to the end of the tales of this week, all that remains is to wish you all, once again, a very Happy Easter.

Cheers till next Sunday,

Masha

Our last day in Asturias, home again, babysitting, Spring is here, Kate Middleton has cancer, massacre in Moscow and other stories of the week.

Madrid, Sunday 24th March, 2024

On the St. Peter's walkway in Llanes last Sunday

Good morning to you all this lovely sunny day in Spring. 

Just a week ago today, last Sunday, we were still in Asturias on the northern coast known as Spain's green coast. 

We all woke up that morning to read about Putin's predicted landslide victory which made my blood boil just as it will boil when that damned man, Donald Trump, gets reelected. I get that the Russians don't have much option but to think half or more of the population of the US is for Trump utterly stumps me. The world in their hands will be in a very sorry state.

But, I wasn't thinking about politics when we set off for Llanes from our modest country house in El Cuetu that morning. It was about time we went on a walk and chose the lovely Paseo de San Pedro - St. Peter's walkway, above the pretty coastal town. The weather was gorgeous with lots of sun but not quite warm enough to bathe. I have chosen a photo of me on that walk for want of another, for this week's feature photo. Ah, and here is one of Eladio on that same walk. What a beautiful day it was.

Eladio on our lovely walk last Sunday in Llanes.

At the end of the walk as we walked down the steep stone steps which overlook the Playa de Sablón, I spied some people on the beach sunning themselves, but not many.

Playa de Sablón in Llanes last Sunday with a few intrepid beach goers. 

By then it was coffee time so we sauntered off into the middle of the charming town of Llanes to have our mid morning coffee once more at La Galerna. There we sat in the sun and commented that life is good - most of the time (hahaha).

We had a last lazy afternoon in El Cuetu and went to bed early. Just before, Carlos Alcaraz, the world's number one was starting the Indian Wells final against the Russian, Medvedev, the world's number 4. I wouldn't know the outcome until Monday morning. 

I was happy that he beat the Russian in two straight sets and I thought it was a good beginning to the day. We were leaving for Madrid that morning. While I was showering, the gas bottle ran out. While I stood all wet I had to wait for Eladio to change it. Then, before leaving we had to go the garage to replace the empty bottle. Honestly, I do find that gas bottles are so dated but there is no  natural gas in El Cuetu. It's a bane for us and our guests. In the end we left at around 10.25 and had a 5 hour drive ahead of us with a stop for coffee and for lunch. We decided on Asador Siboney in Arevalo which is just over an hour from home. Arevalo is in the province of Avila and is famous in the history of the kings and queens of Spain. It is also famous for its wonderful suckling pig and lamb. What a wonderful lunch we had there.

We came home to a quiet house, despite there being 5 or 6 guests who we hardly saw. After unpacking, I had a lovely Facetime session with our friends Kathy and Phil. Their house was flooded a couple of months ago and they are now living out of a suitcase in various Airbnbs. I'm very sorry for them but at least the insurance covers them completely. Can't wait to meet up again. I don't think we've seen them since 2021. I haven't been back to the UK since November 2021 and I think I need a trip there this year. I really do. 

We weren't at all hungry at dinner time so skipped that meal and went straight to bed. I felt very rested after our 4 nights in Asturias. 

Tuesday came and it was father's day in Spain. I had to remind Suzy who later sent her father an audio. If I hadn't told her she would not have remembered. It was another gorgeous day with temperatures reaching 23c and we went in our shirt sleeves on our walk that day; a much needed one I should say. It was lovely to see flowers budding and they made me think of my father who always loved wile flowers. He once brought us home a bunch of them after a walk and announced "I have brought you spring". 

Then it was time for coffee at Manacor - again - and then some shopping to replenish the fridge and kitchen shelves which were pretty empty after our trip to Asturias. 

Coffee at Manacor in good weather this week

We had to babysit in the afternoon so Olivia could go to her Tuesday afternoon French lesson. Good for her. We met up with her and the kids at the park near their school. We hadn't seen them for a while and apparently Elliot had mentioned that, bless him. Olivia hadn't seen my "new" teeth. She said she preferred my teeth before and these are too big which put a damper on how I feel after the three month long treatment. Sandra my friend also said she thought I look different. So I am now not quite as happy as I was. But they needed doing, that's the reality. Hence,  I will just have to get used to them. 

Oli had to escape without Juliet seeing her and when she realised her mother had gone she began to cry. Eladio picked up her to comfort her and I got a picture.

Eladio with Juliet just after her mother left

I then got a selfie with my 2 year old granddaughter while giving her her afternoon snack, a banana and some rice biscuits which didn't look at all appetising.

With Juliet at the park on Tuesday

Elliot refused them and told me he could get nicer biscuits from other parents at the park, hahahahaha.

 

At around 6.30 when it was still light, we took them home to their house. I then had the challenge not only of feeding them their dinner but getting Oli's ultra modern induction hob to work. I nearly gave up and felt cross in general with young engineers who design such products with no thought on their ease of use, especially for old fogies like us. It can be exasperating.

Feeding them was like feeding the animals at the zoo but we managed somehow. Elliot is into magicians these days as someone called Magician Cliff went to their school the other day. Thus I showed him some videos of Jorge Blass and David Copperfield. We also counted to 50 in English together. And that's how Oli found us when she returned at around 8.30. We said our goodbyes until Thursday when we would be babysitting again, and drove home which is practically round the corner.

Wednesday 20th marked the beginning of spring. I always learned it was on 21st, but who knows? Spring was certainly in the air this week with the good weather and flowers blooming everywhere. We went on our walk again in our shirt sleeves. I spent quite a while that day looking for a new accountant to do this year's income tax returns. It's not easy because of the Airbnb income, especially the rooms in our house. I also spent time on gathering the information I will need to give to the accountant once we find him or her. We certainly won't be using the incompetent woman, Pilar, who was my accountant since I became freelance in 2017. Because of her we still owe masses to the bloody tax people. It is a nightmare and one of the things that keeps me up at night.

Tana was off on Wednesday and Thursday in lieu of the weekend, so I had to make our lunch. I made a very simple meal. The highlight of Wednesday was my weekly Skype call with Amanda. While we were on the phone, Eladio was doing the tough job of mowing the whole of the back lawn. I honestly wish he would hire a gardener to do the job but he won't hear of it.

He was tired on Thursday. So was I.  Most of this week I have managed on an average of just 4 hours sleep a night and it is taking its toll. Once again we were on babysitting duty that afternoon and once again we went to the park. You probably all know I am a chewing gum freak - has to be spearmint, which Elliot loves. He always asks me for some and I make him say it in English. His friends followed suit and I was pursued by them for more of my gum. My trick was to make them ask me in English. The weather was so good we spent longer in the park than usual. Here are some pics from that day.

The children at the park on Thursday afternoon

It was while we were there that once again Suzy sent a message telling us not to come to Santa Pola. That is the third time. The excuse was that God wanted her to fast for three days - food, water, social media and seeing any people. You can probably imagine why I cannot sleep. So we didn't go this Friday but will go, come what may, after these damn 3 days, on Monday. Our daughter is living like a hermit and her belief in God has come to extremes I never could have imagined. Instead of helping, her God; or whatever is in her head, is doing harm, not good. 

With this on my mind I went through the motions of babysitting. We took Juliet and Elliot home around 7 where once again I had to face the challenge of her complicated hob but I managed. This time they both ate quite well, after which we had play time together until their mother came home. We would see them again at the weekend.

Friday came and I was up at the crack of dawn. So too was my guest, Juan Manuel, from Argentina, drinking his "mate". He'll be with us for over a month and is a very pleasant young man. There were a lot of guests arriving and others leaving that day but I left Tana to it and went off for some retail therapy.

First though I had organised all the tops in the walk-in-wardrobe I am blessed to have. If a few weeks ago, I did the jumpers, this time it was time for all my t-shirts. I had to take a photo to show you just how many blue and white striped tops I have. 

All my blue and white striped tops - a bit over the top so to say (haha)

I think it is an obsession. I'm in one in this week's feature photo too and in a couple of others too!. I gave many tops to Tana and will be taking some of the tiny size 10's I'll never get into again for Suzy and if she doesn't want them, I'll take them to the charity shop in Gran Alacant.

Retail therapy was the searching of white denims to go with all those tops. I have a bit of an obsession with white trousers too. Now that I have lost a little weight I knew it would be a bit easier to find some and I did. Off I went to Gran Plaza 2 near Majadahonda where I searched in  H&M, Zara and Primark. Funnily enough I only found a suitable pair at Zara. They weren't quite what I was looking for; flared and seamless hems but they look quite good on me.  Happy with my choice I drove back to Boadilla, this time for an appointment at the De Uñas nail bar there. I was happy with the result too which you can see in this photo taken by the nail technician as I think they are called now. Notice I am wearing stripes again!!!

Happy with my nails on Friday

Friday morning was great. Friday afternoon was not. It was then that the Princess of Wales, aka Kate Middleton, announced via a personal video, that she is being treated for cancer. Wow! That was breaking news. Since she had a major stomach operation in January there has been so much speculation as to her whereabouts and so many awful rumours, it was, in a way, a relief to know what has been going on. If she were a private person, well fine, but she is the future Queen of England. I honestly think her PR people have done a bad job or as a family they should have been more honest. Bottom line now is that we all want her to get better. It seems cancer was found when during the operation and she started chemotherapy in Feburary.  It comes at a similar time to the King's diagnosis. Now we have two senior royals with cancer. I so miss The Queen in these times.  Kate  stressed it was preventative, so let us hope that that is so and she can recover from this most awful disease, the bane of our society when it comes to health. Here is a still of the Princess from her video sitting in a normal jumper (striped too) and jeans and sitting on a wooden bench with a backdrop of daffodils. I can hardly recognise her as in this video she is most obviously not wearing makeup. 

Kate on camera on Friday

You would think that after the announcement, the conspiracy theories would go away but they haven't of course. There are now rumours it was engineered by artificial intelligence. 

But there was other breaking news at the same time; a massive terrorist attack on a concert hall, The Crocus Centre, outside Moscow.  Gunmen went shooting inside the venue with a capacity of up to 7000 people who were there to watch a pop concert. They also threw grenades and killed more than 130 people. No doubt Moscow thought it was the work of Ukraine which was never further from my mind.  On 7th or 8th March, I read that both British and US secret services warned of terrorist attacks in Russia: "extremists had imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow and specifically targeted concerts".  Didn't the FSB (ex KGB) take the threat seriously?  Whether they did or not, we shall never know. What we do know do now though is that ISIS have claimed authorship. Will that be in retaliation for Russia's involvement in Syria? The scenes evolving from the concert hall were dantesque.

The aftermath of the terrible attack on the Crocus Centre concert hall on Friday just outside Moscow

Oh how I hate terrorism.  Putin is hell bent in some way accusing Ukraine and hasn't once mentioned the real authors. This could have dire consequences. 

Again I slept badly that night but was still up early on Saturday morning.  When we were ready we went on our walk and I was wearing my new white trousers, with guess what? A blue and white striped top. 

On our walk on Saturday wearing my new white denims

This one is from Uniqlo, a shop I can be partial too if I find what I like, especially their down jackets and coats. 

Once home, we left again to meet Oli and the kids for coffee at Manacor where we spent a pleasant time together in the shade I should add.  They were going out to lunch with Suzy's Uni friend, Elena so we parted ways later until we see each other again today.

We had lunch outside for the first time yesterday after I urged Eladio and Tana to bring out the kitchen patio table from its winter shelter in the garage. This is it, ready for the season.

We got the kitchen patio table out again this week

Finally I got a bit more shut eye last night. Today is Palm Sunday which brings back many memories from childhood, especially getting a palm leaf at church. We won't be going to church though today. Oli will be coming with the kids and bringing with her the girls' childhood friend, Copi and her other for lunch. We have planned the first barbecue of the season and I look forward to that.

I have come to the end of the tales of this week and all that remains is to wish you all a pleasant Sunday and a Happy Easter. 

Cheers all, till next week.

Masha

Kate's photo is much ado about nothing, 20th anniversary of the Madrid train bombings, the Oscar goes to Oppenheimer, making progress with my book about our road trip to Armenia, a sunny break in Asturias and other stories of the week.

 El Cuetu, Asturias, Sunday 17th March, 2024

Great to be back in Asturias, especially with this sunny weather

Top of the morning to you all from  Asturias, our first time back here since December.

Last Sunday was what used to be called in England, "Mothering Sunday" and it's quite a big thing. Kate Middleton, the missing Princess of Wales due to a stomach operation clouded in mystery, made the news that the day and all because of a seemingly innocent photo with her children she posted on social media. There has been a lot of speculation around her illness and why she isn't back in public service. I suppose posting the photo was her way of saying she is ok and I'm sure she is. I'm sure she just needs some rest. What she didn't need was world wide coverage and criticism that the photo had been doctored in some way. I mean don't we all edit our photos on our phones in an amateur way? The story got bigger and bigger so poor Kate had to issue a statement justifying the editing. Even The Times had a go at examining the photo with a magnifying glass. Just look. 

The picture of discontent

Frankly for me the topic was much ado about nothing and I honestly think Kate's photo should not have been subjected to such ridiculous scrutiny. I wonder if you agree. 

It was not "Mother's Day" in Spain last week which is in May. However, I did, however,  perform my role as mother when Oli and the children came for lunch. Because I still couldn't chew, I made something soft; what better than Shepherd's pie? Very British you probably think and you are right. This was it as it came out of the oven piping hot.

Shepherd's pie for lunch last Sunday

The house was full of guests that day, as usual I should add. This week we have had representatives from India, Iraq, Spain and Mexico. Funnily enough they were all young and doing similar courses - a Master in Sport nutrition - and ended up making friends. Sarang came to live semi permanently on Tuesday and my other Indian guest, Niranjan, was delighted as the former made curry for everyone. Sarang is from Mumbai and Niranjan from Nasik. I can only imagine they were both happy  to be able to talk in Marathi together.  If my dear friend Sandra who was born in Bombay had been there, she would have been in her element. PS the only word I know in Hindi is "Namaste". Sandra tells me that in Marathi it is Namaskar. I must say that to them when we go home tomorrow. I love it when my guests make friends.  Mohammad posted a photo of him with Sarang, Rocío and Gabriela having dinner and entitled the picture "the nutrition squad". This is it. It tickled me pink.

My Airbnb sport nutrition guests making friends this week. Mohammad in green, Sarang on his left and the girls Rocío and Gabriela. They are from Iraq, India, Spain and Mexico. It looks like they are eating curry again.

That night was the Oscars but these days I don't stay up to watch the very long awards ceremony although I remember doing so as a teenager in Bradford, sprawled out on our big yellow velvet sofa.

On Monday I woke up to hear that the much acclaimed film, Oppenheimer (the author of the atom bomb) won nearly all the awards. I was sorry that best foreign film didn't go to The Society of Snow. It went to The Zone of Interest which I have to see. It is about a German officer's family living next door to Auschwitz, so it will be just up my street. Oppenheimer too which is available on Prime Video for just 4.99. So why bother going to the cinema? We shall watch it soon, for sure. 

Monday 11th March was the 20th anniversary of the Madrid train bombings at the hands of Al Qaeda - although at the beginning everyone was sure it was the work of the Basque terrorist group, ETA. 11M is our 11S also perpetrated by Al Qaeda three years before. 

One of the brutal images from the 11th March train bombings

Anyone who was in Spain that day will remember what they were doing when they found out. I was in Segovia with my dear friend Anne. It was her leaving party as the Head of Marketing for Nokia Spain. The morning after, just as were going to have breakfast, oblivious to the bombing which took place around 7.15, her mother rang from Finland to find out if Anne was ok. That's how we found out. We rushed to a bar with a TV and saw events unfold. It is still the biggest terrorist attack on European soil. About 10 bombs exploded on 4 trains killing 191 people and injuring thousands more. It happened 3 or 4 days before the General Elections and most people think the attacks were politically inclined. The terrorists wanted the left wing opposition party to win rather than the right wing PP party in power. After all, in their mind the government deserved punishment for allying with the US, the UK and Portugal in their war against Iraq. Whatever their objectives, the left wing party, PSOE, did win the elections and most probably because of the train bombings. 

That was the main news on Monday and most of the week. I remember returning from Segovia 20 years ago this week to Nokia House in Pozuelo but none of us could work. I just went home and sat glued to the TV shocked at what I saw. I even went to the mass demonstration in Madrid the next day, one of the very few I have ever been to. 

For Sunni Muslims that day marked the beginning of Ramadan. Mohammad who is a Shia Muslim started his month of fasting on Tuesday. You see, politics also divide Muslims. Amazing. 

I didn't fast on Monday but it has felt like it at times with all the dental treatment I have undergone. I can still only really eat soft food. Oh when will this be over or rather, when will my mouth feel normal? My gums were still sore from the bleaching which made things even worse. All these things were discussed during my weekly Skype call with my dear friend Amanda. Oh how lovely to have a close friend to get things off your chest. I do wish we lived nearer. I wish the same of my other best friends, Sandra, Adele and Kathy. 

Tuesday put me in a better mood as we got the good weather back. The sun shone and the weather is going to be great at least until Easter. That day I worked more on the contents of my book or rather travel diary of our road trip last year from Spain to Armenia. It's mostly a compilation of the 8 blog posts I wrote during the trip; one every Sunday; that, the maps and itineraries, accommodation and of course an introduction. My dear friend Sandra helped me with the front cover which is probably going to be this one or similar. No doubt, my editor will be Amanda, bless her, just as she was with my father's book. Adele, Sandra and I spent all week debating the title and subtitle and no doubt we could carry on for months but at some stage I have to make a decision. This is work in progress. Hope you like it.

Draft front cover of my book, the diary of our road trip to Armenia - 14 countries in 50 days, two oldies in a Mini.

The book is just for us really but I shall have a shot at publishing it on Amazon Kindle. So watch this space.

Wednesday was another anniversary. It was 4 years since the State of Alarm after Coranavirus was declared a pandemic. Gosh! I heave as I think what we all went through. But, I and my family were spared. We were very lucky. For our generation, this is our WW2, relatively speaking of course. It is something we shall never forget as it affected us all.

We went out on errands and had coffee together at Manacor. Eladio took a photo of me. At the time I was wearing the provisional bridges in my teeth which felt odd but my husband thought looked great. Bless him.

Coffee with my "new teeth" (provisional) on Wednesday at Manacor.

We sat in the sun talking about this year's road trip. That's our main topic of conversation at the moment. We shall not leave until May this time as we want to be with Suzy when she turns 40 on 28th April. Wow!

We were going to stay with her on Thursday when she sent a message to ask us to postpone our visit until next week. That put a spoke in our wheels but we soon decided we were going to travel anyway - I had done the packing -but to El Cuetu in Asturias instead. In any case we had to come here before Easter when our first guests of the year arrive. But before leaving I had my dental appointment to put in the 3 new bridges, the  final ones. We drove there with our luggage and food as well as Pippa and got to Majadahonda a least an hour too early. So what did we do? We went to have a coffee on the lovely pedestrian precinct Gran Via and we sat in the sun. Here is a photo to prove it. 

Coffee in Majadahonda on Thursday

By the way, we were both wearing blue and white stripes that day -a coincidence. I was at the dentist by 11 for my 11.15 appointment. I honestly thought it would be one of the easiest sessions but it was pretty awful. I came out feeling like a zombie and couldn't even smile to show my teeth as my mouth was completely numb. I was not in the best of states for a 5 hour journey to El Cuetu. Thankfully Eladio drove. We stopped for lunch at a godforsaken place in Simancas near Valladolid. Of everything they had on the menu, I could only eat an omelet, the softest food available. It just served to fill my stomach. One of my teeth under the bottom bridge was throbbing and aching, something I had mentioned to my dentist. He told me it is common to feel sensitivity after putting in a new bridge due to some possible inflammation in the pulp of a tooth after such extensive treatment. As I write now it is feeling better and Dr. Google has informed me this side effect  normally disappears within 2 or 3 weeks.

We didn't get to El Cuetu until at least 5.30 or 6 and I felt tired. Apart from the teeth, I had been on my phone nearly the whole journey with Airbnb related work. I may be retired but I haven't stopped working .I can't believe just how popular our house outside Madrid is with guests. There hasn't been one night this year, so far without any.

So it was quite a relief to arrive to an empty house. But it was cold even though my neighbour, Loli, had put on the heating that morning. It's 100 years old and is not energy efficient. But it wasn't cold in bed and I had brought my dressing gown so I was fine. However, because of the pain in my tooth and the uncomfortable feeling of the new bridges in my mouth, I slept pretty badly.

I was up around 7.30 on Friday morning and soon greeted with sunshine. In Russia people started voting on Friday and I think the polls close today. They will mostly be voting for the maniac Putin -as there is no opposition, especially since he did away with Alexei Navalny. Damn the man who has been in power for more than 24 years and will probably die in power.

But we were't thinking about him when we drove to our nearest town, Posada de Llanes. Eladio took a photo of me as we left - for this blog of course. This is it. 

Outside our village house in El Cuetu on Friday morning

In Posada we needed things from the ironmonger. However, the market was open and I couldn't resist a visit. I bought a light blue and white summery jumper which I put on later as my other jumper was far too warm. I also got some pretty multi coloured sneakers from a great shoe shop called "Pisando Fuerte". That's where, Sandra, Adele and I had some bought shoes when we came here together in 2021. I later looked up the brand and it's Corina. I think they are wholesale shoemakers who supply to places like Pisando Fuerte. 

Lovely new sneakers I bought on Friday in Posada. The make is Corina (must remember that)

By then it was time to drive to beautiful Llanes for coffee at La Galerna where we always have coffee in that lovely and distinguished seaside town. But first we parked and walked to the pretty town beach called Playa del Sablón. I had to have a picture which you might like to see as I am wearing the new blue and white striped summer jumper. Nice eh?

By the Sablón Beach in Llanes on Friday morning

We were lucky to find a free table in the sun at La Galerna. We had been pining to have a coffee there since we were last here in December. Across the way is that splendid gourmet shop that specialises in Asturian sourced food. Called Aramburu, I always get fresh eggs there, some pie, chorizo and sundry. I don't buy the famed Asturian cheese as you probably know I hate cheese. Odd you may think,...

Just before we left Llanes I took a photo of Eladio (and Pippa - of course) at La Galerna. 

 

Eladio (and Pippa) at La Galerna in Llanes on Friday morning

I always get a good feeling there and so does my husband. It was getting late and before heading home for lunch we had to stop at the ubiquitous Almerka supermarket to get household goods such as loo roll, bleach, washing powder, etc, to leave to Loli. I also got a box of cider and packets of crisps for our guest welcome packs. 

Lunch was very easy as I had brought it with me; Asturian bean stew which needed heating up and voilá. 

That evening between us we got the TV working again. Frequencies have changed - again - and we had to get a TV decoding device. It all came in Italian but somehow we managed. I don't know what we watched that night as I soon fell asleep. I got my best night's sleep during our stay and on Saturday morning I woke up surprised to feel the pain in my tooth was receding. Finally, I could enjoy our stay here.

We chilled out in the morning, sitting in the sun on our terrace which is looking a little forlorn as most of the flowers are dead or haven't come out yet. I took a selfie to see what my new teeth look like and this is them. What do you think?

 

My new teeth. Finally I look good in lipstick

Coffee that morning was at a funny little bar called Bar La Venta Los Probes where we had been a few years ago with Oli, Miguel and Elliot. Here is Eladio sitting in the sun having his coffee

Coffee on Saturday morning

We were surrounded by nature, lots of cows and a bull. There were also hens and cockerels. With this scenery I had to take a video which you can see here. When Oli sees my videos, she always says I would have been a good reporter. Thank you darling.

We were soon off again, this time up the mountains - the Peaks of Europe  - where we had booked a table for lunch in the pretty village of Asiego (or Asiegu as it is referred to here). We had been to Casa Niembro last September and were impressed with the place and the food. Asiego boasts the best views of the famous mountain, El Naranjo de Bulnes - more often called Pico Urriellu in Asturias. It is over 2500 m high and is not the highest in the Picos but the most famous probably because of its unusual shape. Here is a photo of Eladio and Pippa  with the famous mountain in the background. .

In Aseigu yesterday

Casa Niembro did not disappoint and was quite full that day as the weather was spectacular. We tried the typical "tortos" which I have only ever seen at this restaurant. These are them and they were delicious. They are a sort of puffed up bread made with corn.

Tortos with ham and vegetables - mouthwatering

Local cider was served and we had nearly a whole bottle. We both chose baby goat for our second course and Pippa who was under the table got lots of titbits. Lunch in Asiegu has been the meal I have enjoyed most since the start of my dental treatment. Of course, my diet went out of the window that day but who cares. I refuse to be a fundamentalist when it comes to dieting hahahah. We came home and both had at least an hour's siesta. I woke up feeling a bit whoozy but good. Life is good my friends.

And today is Sunday, our last full day here before we return home tomorrow. The day is ours for the taking. 

Wishing you all a happy Sunday, all the best until next week,

Cheers Masha

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"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health": always together, final dental appointments, some good news, International Women's Day and other tales of the week.

 Sunday 10th March, 2024

Coffee  last Sunday. Always together.

Hello again everyone. How are you all doing? I am coming to the end of my dentist tunnel adventure which began at the end of November. What a journey it has been but I'm getting there.

I was not thinking about my teeth - and you can't imagine how much I do and how much I look at other people's teeth - when we went for our walk to one of our nearest bars last Sunday.  We bumped into Mohammad, our Iraqi lodger who had missed the bus so joined us for coffee. Thus we got a photo together, for once. It made me think we are always together, especially since I have retired. We mentioned that too when Eladio fell recently, remembering our marriage vows which include these words "for better, for worse,  in sickness and in health". That is so true. That took me back in my memory to our wedding day. I had chosen the old fashioned text, excluding of course "to obey". I remember Eladio having  great trouble saying "and so to I pledge thee my troth". I could never have loved him more than in that moment and I broke down and cried in the middle of my marriage ceremony. It got all the women guests crying too. My vicar who came from England,  the Very Reverend Brandon Jackson, said to me:  "you have all the time in the world" (to calm down) and after a touch on my arm from my father and my mother-in-law, I finally got myself together and the ceremony continued. We made those vows on August 21st 1983, more than 40 years ago and since then we have had our ups and downs but our marriage has been rock solid always and these days we are always together. I wouldn't want it any other way. 

We walked back home in harmony and found Oli and the kids had arrived in our absence. I quickly finished making our lunch - stuffed roast shoulder of lamb (delicious) but I couldn't eat much as my stomach had been playing up. Think I must have got a virus of some sort. What with that and hardly being able to chew while my dental treatment is ongoing, as well as being on a sort of diet, I am happy to announce I have lost weight. I know by how my clothes fit, not because I have got on the scales. I hate the scales, don't you? 

Monday came and I went for the first of my two bleaching sessions for my bottom front teeth. They have to match the colour of my new bridges. My dentist has gone for the lightest natural colour possible. It is B1. I always had very white teeth but didn't know the colour. I thought I was an A1 which you would think is lighter, but no, it is B1. The dentist who bleached my teeth said that's the colour of baby teeth. Here is the chart I have had to choose from. 

Colour chart for teeth.

But even a B1 is not really white. So how I wondered how do Hollywood celebrities get theirs so white? By cheating as they choose a non natural white colour. That would be a bit much for me I think. 

 

Back to the bleaching. I did it 20 odd years ago and it was far more expensive and I needed many sessions. These days it's a lot faster. In one single session my bottom front teeth improved by about 3 shades. The process hurt my gums though and I have to wait a while until they heal for the next one. Just look at part of the process. I dared to take a selfie while I was undergoing it. 

 

Again I was reminded of the French saying "Il faut souffrir pour être belle". Absolutely. That has been in my head ever since I started on all the dental work since I began in November. When I shared the photo and others with my friend Sandra, this was her reply which had me in stitches: "OMG! Not sure I could handle all that & take pictures! Glad we don’t have to see your Gynae pics!!!!"

Anyway, I  came out very happy with the result and made my way home. I think I could drive blindfold to and from the dentist in Majadahonda as I have been so often. 

That night we watched Legends of the Fall, a wonderful romantic film set in the US around WW1 with Antony Hopkins and a very young Brad Pitt. What a marvelous film. 

On Tuesday I pampered myself and got an appointment at the local nail parlour I got to "D-Uñas", run by a group of beautiful Colombian girls. That day I did not have to suffer to look beautiful. Not only did I have my nails done, I also died my eyelashes and eyebrows. Gosh, that made a huge difference as mine are so light and blonde with the odd white hair. This was the result.

After having my nails painted and my eyebrows and eyelashes dyed.

I always think as a woman, and as a man, it's so important to have good hair, teeth and nails, or for them to look good.

That day was referred to as "Super Tuesday" in the US. It is part of the very mysterious and complicated US election system which I can never fathom. It refers to the US presidential election day when the greatest number of states holds primary elections and so-called "caucases". Both Biden for the democrats and that dangerous clown, Trump, for the republicans. Both of them did well, apparently.  

We had good news that night, something I think we all needed. The World's 50 best (restaurants, bars, etc) based in London and who organise huge hospitality awards were the conveyors of the good news. They had hired Olivia last year as their MC and presenter at the 50 best restaurant awards in Valencia. They loved her so much they asked if she would be willing to do the job again, this year in Las Vegas of all places. It was on Tuesday that they confirmed she will be this year's presenter. Wow, what great news.  In a way I'd love to go with her but Las Vegas is not really on my bucket list and I think when the event takes place on 5th June we will be on our road trip. Oli said she was so happy she couldn't sleep.No wonder.

Wednesday was the last but one session with my dentist before all the work is finished. In the end that will be 3 implants, 3 bridges (no veneers in the end) and 5 onlays, as well as the bleaching. I went early and had coffee at a bar I always go to in Majadahonda if the time is right. I also sneaked into a Chinese boutique where I couldn't resist a black and white striped jumper (stripes of course) and a white hoodie with the word Love. That's my second time at Miya. 

I was just on time for the appointment where I was fitted with the 3 bridges. They looked great but felt funny in my mouth. That was when we decided on the final colour; B1. Thankfully the fit was perfect so I could keep them on until I get the permanent ones next Thursday in what I hope will by final session. Here's another photo for Sandra to laugh at.

Front bridge - provisional

I was so happy I gave my dentist  a hug. I walked out feeling great. Finally I had a full set of teeth. However, I can only eat soft food until I get the final ones. I was happy to come home and show my husband the nearly final results. He thought I looked great. However, with so much anesthesia I could only manage puré for lunch and soft food until next week. So I was envious of my darling granddaughter Juliet when Oli sent a photo of her having chocolate and churros with her perfect baby teeth.

Juliet enjoying her chocolate and churros with her perfect baby teeth

I hope she looks after her teeth and won't need bridges, implants, etc in 65 years time hahaha.

On Thursday Mohammad confirmed his friend and fellow student, Sangar, who is from India, is moving in with him. They will share my father's old room which they love. I love it too. I commented that his rent will help pay for the solar panels we are having put in. This week, to Eladio's delight, we signed the contract. 

Friday came and brought buckets of rain which this country desperately needs. Friday was 8th March and International Women's Day. I'm all for equality for women, of course I am. A lot has been done since my days as a young girl starting out in the working world. It's not finished of course as there is still a lot of inequality. But in my mind feminists or those who fight for equality should concentrate on where it really is needed and that is mostly in the Middle East. My heart goes out to women in Iran who are punished for wearing their hijabs incorrectly. When will their times change? I'm sure 8th March is just another day in countries where women are considered lesser beings then men. 

That morning I did what could be considered a very womanly task. I organised the whole of Eladio's wardrobe. I even hung his shirts according to their colour. Now he has no excuse for mismatching what to wear. Often I put out his clothes as I love him to look smart and he is grateful as choosing clothes in the morning is absolutely not his thing. So who cares whether that's a woman's or a man's job? In our marriage we take on the tasks we are best at. 

One task which needs urgent handling is how to get aid to Gaza. People are starving and aid cannot get through. Thus food and provisions are being parachuted in which is not the most efficient way. I was appalled to hear that some of the parachutes did not open out and the parcels hit and killed those rushing towards them. As I write now, a US military ship is heading to Gaza to build a makeshift port for aid to be delivered. There was hope this week of a cease fire in exchange for the release of more Israeli hostages but it hasn't happened. I bet no one in Gaza gave even the slightest thought to International Women's Day. 

Saturday brought very cold weather. I think this week's storm is called Storm Monica. We had hail that morning. But we braved the weather and went on our only walk since last Sunday. We then went for a coffee where, believe it or not, we saw that ghastly man, Felipe Turover, the Russian spy, our ex squatter. Two years ago this week he was ordered to leave the house at the beginning of April. What memories. While having our coffee, I completely ignored him. No doubt he is making someone else's life impossible squatting in their house. 

Turover has been our only bad egg in this Airbnb and renting business which we started in 2017. This weekend I have 2 physiotherapists here on different Masters' degree courses, my dear Iraqi student plus a young Indian, Niranjan, who works for a company that sells robots! He is a delight and no doubt will get on with Sangar when they meet on Monday. 

And today is  Sunday which will be another quiet day. All days are quiet which is probably good but I can't wait to have my teeth finished in order to be free to travel again. I can't make any real plans until then. 

Right now, despite Storm Monica, the sun is shining so as soon as I have published today's post, I shall get read to go on our walk.

Cheers then everyone and sorry if I have bored you with my "teething problems". All the best till next Sunday,

Masha.